Guys/Gals, for any of you who are new to the outdoors, ticks, mosquitos, etc., are especially bad, due to the mild winter we had. It's always a good idea to spray your clothes, paying special attention to collars, sleeve and pant cuffs.

I went for a casual walk at VC today, so I didn't have my treated clothing on and was in shorts, though I did have a hat on. Walked around for less than an hour. Damn if I wasn't sitting back at home working, when I felt a little bastard crawling up my back. Big tick, so not a deer tick, but still dangerous. I stripped down immediately and after inspecting the clothes, tossed them into the washer.

My brother turned me on to Permethrin a while ago and I spray my clothing with it, per the directions. When fishing, I don't spray that pants, since they're in my waders. Others can chime in on whether I should. I use the aeresol, but they also have a slightly cheaper spray bottle. I spray my hat, packs, etc. but it's NOT for use on your skin.

CathyG was telling about a similar product, but I honestly didn't have the bandwith at the time to retain it. She must have thought I was a moron, with the blank stare on my face, but between HA, OldLefty, Chaz, and others, I was on information overload.

Anyway, my nephew was bit well over a year ago and his face is still affected by it. Not sure it will ever completely heal. So be careful.

Posted on: 2012/8/1 16:16

Edited by joseywales on 2012/8/1 16:53:48

_________________
Honey, when I die, sell my fly gear for what it's worth and NOT what I told you I paid for it.

You know when it comes to ticks, I often wonder what their purpose is. It's got to be one of the most useless contributors to the natural world. It's sole contribution is making animals and people ill. Hate them little bastards.

If we could exterminate one critter entirely without affecting others they'd be at the top of my list. Mosquitos follow in a close second.

Thanks. I should know better. I have all of my fishing clothes, etc. already sprayed. I was just wondering around and was actually more careful about not stepping in any poison plants. He was right on my back! Maybe he was hanging on my shirt. As you saw, there aint much on the roof for him to hang on to!

You're right though, ticks are the appendix of the insect world. Is there any animal that lives of them???? Not that I'm aware.

My nephew's face was severly sagging on one side. It has almost cleared, but I honestly don't think there's been an improvement in months, so the remaining could be permanent. He never hunts or fishes. He was most likely bit at college in Kutztown.

Posted on: 2012/8/1 21:44

_________________
Honey, when I die, sell my fly gear for what it's worth and NOT what I told you I paid for it.

Tick key for the ones you see, a shower immediately upon going home for the ones you don't.

Your nephew had bell's palsy, which is not a part of lyme disease but often comes on as part of an infection, its caused by an inflamation of the nerves that affect muscle control in your face. Short term Bell's will clear up and back to 100% when the swelling dies down, long term Bell's will kill the nerve which will then need to grow back on its own. Sometimes it never grows back, or it will grow back incorrect causing facial tics or other anomolies.

Not that Lyme cannot affect your CNS, including facial paralysis, as well. Its quite possible to have both issues simultaneously. The Lyme will affect both sides, the Bell's will only affect one.

Tick key for the ones you see, a shower immediately upon going home for the ones you don't.

Your nephew had bell's palsy, which is not a part of lyme disease but often comes on as part of an infection, its caused by an inflamation of the nerves that affect muscle control in your face. Short term Bell's will clear up and back to 100% when the swelling dies down, long term Bell's will kill the nerve which will then need to grow back on its own. Sometimes it never grows back, or it will grow back incorrect causing facial tics or other anomolies.

Not that Lyme cannot affect your CNS, including facial paralysis, as well. Its quite possible to have both issues simultaneously. The Lyme will affect both sides, the Bell's will only affect one.

I am familiar with Bell's, as my sister had it, though she fully recovered. Regarding my nephew (on my wife's side), doctors were convinced it was Lyme disease and not Bell's. His mother worked for the Parks Dept. for years and was well informed about Lyme disease. That said, and I do not want to start a debate, but Lyme is one of the most misdiagnosed diseases, either way. In other words, it goes undiagnosed, and/or is sometimes blamed when it in fact is not the cause.

Bell's, as you describe it, makes sense in this case, but after extensive testing, doctors were convinced it was Lyme, for what it's worth. Again, not to start a debate, but although it has improved, more resources need to be dedicated to diagnosing and fighting Lyme. For my part, I'll just kill every little bastard I see.

Posted on: 2012/8/2 9:14

_________________
Honey, when I die, sell my fly gear for what it's worth and NOT what I told you I paid for it.